Jay stealing all the food & "Jaywatch"!

[vixfinn]

For about 4 weeks now a Jay has taken to visiting my garden several times a day, he's very beautiful and not a bit afraid of me, infact I'd go as far as to say he's bold. I just wondered what he's doing with all the nuts he's taking? He's figured out that if he hangs on to the birdfeeder and swings a few times the nuts will come out, I swear he's taking atleast 2 dozen (if not much more) a day and sometimes the bird feeder is swinging for 20 minutes at a time! The other birds don't seem to mind him but I've run out of nuts and they're not cheap and now he's starting on the mealworm mix!
Will try and grab a piccy for you tomorrow if he lets me. I thought Jays were supposed to be shy birds. And where can I get cheap nuts??
Anyone else have Jays in their garden?

[Jeanied]

There is one that visits my neighbour's bird table - it is especially fond of the monkey nuts in their shells - he turns them over and over until he finds the one he wants and flies off with that. Haven't caught sight of what happens next - but he is a lovely bird.

[vixfinn]

I reckon they must hoard them somewhere, like squirrels! I never realised they were so big. Great characters though aren't they